View Full Version : Analog to digital conversion hardware with FireWire output for FinalCut Express


Sulev Sepp
July 27th, 2009, 03:44 AM
Please advice.
I need to import from VHS tape to Final Cut Express ( MacPro with FireWire 400)
I tried with Elgato EyeTv Plus 250. Unfortunately EyeTV has not FireWire output. FinalCut Express can't capture via USB. I have Pinnacle MovieBox DV device which has FireWire input/output ( from 2005). It works perfect. Now I set up second workstation and looking for additional device. Modern MovieBox DV like devices haven't FireWire output.
Can somebody advice ( better is external) converter which has FireWire output and works well with FinalCut and Mac? Or some other workflow?

Thanks in advance
Sulev

John C. Plunkett
July 27th, 2009, 12:05 PM
Search for Sony dvmc-da2.

Ryan Douthit
July 27th, 2009, 12:52 PM
Canopus ADVC-110 will work great.
ADVC110 (http://desktop.grassvalley.com/products/ADVC110/index.php)

It's available at the usual places: B&H, Apple Store, etc.

We've also used a ADVC-300, but that may be overkill for you. All the Canopus boxes in this series work seamless with Macs and any program that takes Firewire DV in.

Battle Vaughan
July 27th, 2009, 12:55 PM
We hook up a VHS tape player (analog out) to a Canopus (now Grass Valley) advc-300 analog-to-digital converter, and take firewire out from the Canopus.....I don't know what brands are available where you are, but there other manufacturers, notably DataVideo, which is Japanese, I think. Of course, ours is NTSC, you would need one that matches --what, PAL? SECAM?

--Ours cost about $450 US, but there are some models in the $200US range.... Battle Vaughan / miamiherald.com video team

Ryan Douthit
July 27th, 2009, 12:57 PM
The ADVC series can handle either PAL/SECAM or NTSC

Battle Vaughan
July 27th, 2009, 01:00 PM
Thanks for calling my attention to that, Ryan. I do see a dipswitch for ntsc/pal but no SECAM, but since I will probably never encounter SECAM I won't worry...nice to realize I could handle PAL in a pinch, however! /bvaughan

Sulev Sepp
July 28th, 2009, 11:55 AM
Thank You all for advice!!!
Mostly I manage video in PAL, but universal PAL/NTSC device is even better.
Seems that Canopus ADVC-110 will work well for my purposes.
Your experience gives me confidence.

Best
Sulev